San Antonio Zoo

{{Infobox zoo

|zoo_name=San Antonio Zoo

|logo=File:San Antonio Zoo logo.png

|logo_caption=San Antonio Zoo logo

|image=File:San Antonio Zoo entrance -Texas -USA-9Mar2009.jpg

|image_caption=Zoo entrance

|date_opened={{Start date and age|1914|05|03}}

|location=3903 N. St. Mary's Street
San Antonio, Texas, United States

|area={{Convert|57|acre}}

|coordinates={{Coord|29.4648|-98.4719|type:landmark_region:US-TX|display=inline,title}}

|num_animals=3,500+

|num_species=750

|publictransit = File:VIA Metropolitan Transit logo.svg
Viva Trolley #11

|annual_visitors=1.1 million+

|members=AZA, ZAA

|website={{URL|https://sazoo.org/}}

}}

The San Antonio Zoo is a {{convert|57|acre|adj=on}} zoo located in Brackenridge Park in San Antonio, Texas, United States. It is home to over 750 species, some of which are endangered or extinct in the wild, and has an annual attendance of more than 1 million.{{Cite web|url=https://sazoo.org/about-us/|title=About Us}} The zoo also hosts the Richard Friedrich Aquarium, which opened in 1948."[http://www.sazoo-aq.org/animalexhibits/exhibits.html Exhibits at the San Antonio Zoo] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090130115307/http://sazoo-aq.org/animalexhibits/exhibits.html |date=2009-01-30 }}." San Antonio Zoo and Aquarium. Retrieved on January 15, 2009. It was the only aquarium in the city until SeaWorld San Antonio opened in 1988.{{citation needed|date=January 2025}} It also runs non-animal attractions, such as the San Antonio Zoo Train, which first opened in 1956.

Description

The San Antonio Zoo spans {{convert|57|acre}} in Brackenridge Park, located in the city's Midtown area. It is accredited through the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) and the Zoological Association of America (ZAA).

=Exhibits and other buildings=

Image:Crossroads Cafe at San Antonio, TX, Zoo DSCN0727.JPG

Image:Desert plant exhibit at San Antonio Zoo DSCN0728.JPG

==Monkey House and Commissary==

{{Infobox NRHP

| name = Monkey House/Commissary (San Antonio Zoo)

| nrhp_type =

| image =

| alt =

| caption =

| coordinates = {{coord|29|27|45.9|N|98|28|24.5|W|type:landmark|display=inline}}

| built = {{Start date|1937}}

| architect = Adams & Adams

| architecture = Spanish Revival

| added = April 4, 2024

| designated_nrhp_type =

| refnum = 100010141

| mpsub = Historic Buildings and Structures of the San Antonio Zoo

}}

The Monkey House and Commissary at the San Antonio Zoo was built between 1935 and 1937. It was designed by San Antonio architecture firm Adams & Adams in the Spanish Revival style. Throughout the decades, it has variably served as an animal commissary, veterinary office, staff offices, and the zoo's monkey house. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) on April 4, 2024, for its architectural value.{{cite news |last1=Biediger |first1=Shari |title=Zoo’s Monkey House and East Side warehouse approved for historic status |url=https://sanantonioreport.org/zoos-monkey-house-east-side-warehouse-historic-status/ |access-date=5 January 2025 |work=San Antonio Report |date=August 2, 2023}} The building and surrounding plaza were renovated in 2023 ahead of the NRHP nomination, and the structure itself was converted into concessions and restrooms.{{cite news |last1=Biediger |first1=Shari |title=San Antonio Zoo is (not) monkeying around with its new entrance plans |url=https://sanantonioreport.org/san-antonio-zoo-is-not-monkeying-around-with-its-new-entrance-plans/ |access-date=5 January 2025 |work=San Antonio Report |date=April 20, 2023}}

=San Antonio Zoo Train=

Image:Zoo train, San Antonio, TX IMG 3108.JPG locomotive pictured, since retired) carries visitors throughout Brackenridge Park.]]

The San Antonio Zoo Train, formerly the Brackenridge Eagle, is a {{RailGauge|2ft|lk=on}} narrow gauge miniature train that connects the zoo to various points of interest within Brackenridge Park. The railway opened in 1956 and had 1 million passengers during its first two years of operation.{{cite web |title=Zoo Train |url=https://sazoo.org/experiences/explore/zoo-train/ |website=San Antonio Zoo |access-date=5 January 2025}}

History

=Opening=

What is now known as the San Antonio Zoo began in 1914 when George Washington Brackenridge, one of the city's leading citizens, placed several animals, including bison, deer, monkeys, African lions, and bears, on land he had deeded to the city. The land became Brackenridge Park and Golf Course.{{cite news |last1=Jakle |first1=Jeanne |title=S.A. Zoo less circus-like, more real |url=https://www.expressnews.com/news/local/article/S-A-Zoo-less-circus-like-more-real-6225186.php |access-date=5 January 2025 |work=San Antonio Express-News |date=April 26, 2015}}

The San Antonio Zoo opened two of the first cageless exhibits in the United States in November 1929 that offered visitors views of the animals not available in caged exhibits. The Richard Friedrich Aquarium was dedicated in 1948, and the Hixon Bird House, funded through the efforts of Frederick C. Hixon, opened in 1966.

The San Antonio Zoo housed the first herd of addra gazelle in captivity in 1969 and continues to be active in the breeding program for the critically endangered species. Due to the former hoofstock quarantine point in San Antonio, the San Antonio Zoo has historically had a wide variety of hoofstock species.

=The Great (Little) Train Robbery=

On July 18, 1970, two bandits held up the Brackenridge Eagle at gunpoint and robbed its passengers. Some passengers initially believed it was a stunt for a charity fundraiser. The robbers fled the scene with $500 {{USDCY|500|1970}}, as well as car keys, checkbooks, and other valuables.{{cite news |last1=Mendoza |first1=Madalyn |title=Almost 50 years ago, the miniature Brackenridge Eagle train was robbed at gunpoint |url=https://www.mysanantonio.com/news/local/history-culture/article/Almost-50-years-ago-the-miniature-Brackenridge-14105722.php |access-date=5 January 2025 |work=San Antonio News |date=July 18, 2019}} Ten days later, two soldiers from Fort Sam Houston, James R. Brown and Paul E. Smith, were apprehended for the crime. Both were discharged from the U.S. Army and later convicted; Smith was sentenced to 20 years and Brown to 10 years.{{cite news |title=50 Year Anniversary: The Story Of The Brackenridge Eagle Zoo Train Robbery |url=https://woai.iheart.com/content/2020-07-17-50-year-anniversary-the-story-of-the-brackenridge-eagle-zoo-train-robbery/ |access-date=5 January 2025 |work=WOAI |date=July 17, 2020}}{{cite news |last1=Biediger |first1=Shari |title=Zoo train passengers relive ‘ambush,’ this time for a good cause |url=https://sanantonioreport.org/zoo-train-passengers-relive-ambush-this-time-for-a-good-cause/ |access-date=5 January 2025 |work=San Antonio Report |date=July 18, 2020}} Dubbed "the Great (Little) Train Robbery", this holdup has remained the last train robbery in Texas.{{cite news |last1=Morgan |first1=Jack |title=50 Years Ago, There Was A Great Little Train Robbery In San Antonio |url=https://www.tpr.org/arts-culture/2020-07-10/50-years-ago-there-was-a-great-little-train-robbery-in-san-antonio |access-date=5 January 2025 |work=Texas Public Radio |date=11 July 2020 |language=en}}

=21st century=

Phase I of Africa Live!, which opened in 2008, brought a new exhibit for hippos with underwater viewing area and one for new Nile crocodiles as well as many other smaller animals. Phase II contains Angolan colobus monkeys, okapi, African hunting dogs, rock hyrax, and various species of birds contained in the second largest aviary in the world. The zoo opened Phase II of Africa Live! in 2010.

On June 18, 2013, a two-headed Texas river cooter turtle hatched. The turtle was named Thelma and Louise after the 1991 film.{{cite mag |last1=Groden |first1=Claire |title=The Two-Headed Turtle at the San Antonio Zoo |url=https://newsfeed.time.com/2013/06/27/the-two-headed-turtle-at-the-san-antonio-zoo/ |access-date=5 January 2025 |work=Time |date=June 27, 2013}} Thelma and Louise died on July 29, 2014, from unknown causes.{{cite news |last1=Cook |first1=Joe |title=San Antonio Zoo's two-headed turtle dies |url=https://www.mysanantonio.com/news/local/article/SA-Zoo-s-two-headed-turtle-dies-5654753.php |access-date=5 January 2025 |work=San Antonio Express-News |date=July 29, 2014}}

Josh the African lion was permanently transferred to the Birmingham Zoo in April 2022 as part of the AZA's Species Survival Plan.{{cite news |last=Koplowitz |first=Howard |url=https://www.al.com/news/birmingham/2022/06/birmingham-zoo-welcomes-josh-new-african-lion-after-large-cat-kwanza-dies-of-cancer.html |title=Birmingham Zoo welcomes Josh, new African lion, after large cat Kwanza dies of cancer |work=Birmingham Real-Time News |publisher=Alabama Media Group |date=13 June 2022 |access-date=January 5, 2025}}

The zoo began construction of its new gorilla habitat, Congo Falls, in 2023. The zoo's previous gorilla habitat closed with the relocation of its last gorilla to the National Zoo in 1990.{{cite news |last1=Mitchell |first1=Bea |title=San Antonio Zoo breaks ground on new gorilla habitat |url=https://blooloop.com/animals/news/san-antonio-zoo-gorilla-habitat-groundbreaking/ |access-date=5 January 2025 |work=Blooloop |date=March 5, 2024}} The {{convert|2|acre|adj=on}} exhibit is scheduled to open in late 2025.{{cite news |last1=Drusch |first1=Andrea |title=San Antonio Zoo to use $500K from city’s tree fund for gorilla enclosure |url=https://sanantonioreport.org/san-antonio-zoo-to-use-500k-from-citys-tree-fund-for-gorilla-enclosure/ |access-date=5 January 2025 |work=San Antonio Report |date=September 20, 2024}}

In October 2024, San Antonio Zoo opened its expanded African habitat, the Naylor Savanna, which greatly increased exhibit space for African species and included a new giraffe barn. Upon its opening, the new habitat was the largest in the zoo's history.{{cite news |title=San Antonio Zoo unveils Naylor Savanna, doubling space for giraffes, rhinos and more |url=https://news4sanantonio.com/news/local/san-antonio-zoo-unveils-naylor-savannah-doubling-space-for-giraffes-rhinos-and-more-animals-guests-zebras-workers-handlers-executives |access-date=5 January 2025 |work=News 4 San Antonio |date=October 4, 2024}}{{cite news |last1=Biediger |first1=Shari |title=Now you can spend the night and go on a safari at the San Antonio Zoo |url=https://sanantonioreport.org/now-you-can-spend-the-night-and-go-on-a-safari-at-the-san-antonio-zoo/ |access-date=5 January 2025 |work=San Antonio Report |date=October 4, 2024}} The Spekboom Lodge, situated in the middle of the giraffe habitat, opened as a space for guests to rent a night in the zoo on November 1, 2024.{{cite news |last1=Powers |first1=Halee |last2=Acosta |first2=Sarah |title=San Antonio Zoo opens Spekboom Lodge for overnight stays |url=https://www.ksat.com/news/local/2024/11/01/san-antonio-zoo-opens-spekboom-lodge-for-overnight-stays/ |access-date=5 January 2025 |work=KSAT |date=November 1, 2024}}

Conservation

File:Hose2Habitat San Antonio Workshop (27699974938).jpg

The Center for Conservation and Research at the San Antonio Zoo is involved in breeding a number of endangered species including black rhino, leopard, golden lion tamarin, dama gazelle, Attwater's prairie chicken (housed and bred off-exhibit), black mangabey, African lion, black-footed ferret, Komodo dragon, Andean condor, and Caribbean flamingos.

The zoo is also involved in the conservation of the Texas horned lizard through its Texas Horned Lizard Reintroduction Project, breeding and then releasing the animals back into their native habitat.{{cite web |title=Texas Horned Lizard Reintroduction Project |url=https://sazoo.org/conservation/texas-horned-lizard-reintroduction-project/ |website=San Antonio Zoo |access-date=5 January 2025}} The project runs in collaboration with several organizations, including the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and Zoo Miami.{{cite news |last1=Morgan |first1=Jack |title=San Antonio program to re-introduce 'horny toads' in Texas gets a boost from Florida |url=https://www.tpr.org/arts-culture/2024-08-28/san-antonio-program-to-re-introduce-horny-toads-in-texas-gets-a-boost-from-florida |access-date=5 January 2025 |work=Texas Public Radio |date=August 28, 2024}} {{As of|2024}}, the center had released 258 individuals into the wild.{{cite news |title=San Antonio Zoo’s Landmark Release of Texas Horned Lizards Draws Global Support |url=https://www.aza.org/connect-stories/stories/san-antonio-zoos-landmark-release-of-texas-horned-lizards-draws-global-support |access-date=5 January 2025 |work=Association of Zoos and Aquariums |date=October 21, 2024}}

Incidents

In 1992, a zookeeper, Jubal Cox, was tossed by an Asian elephant and received fatal injuries. The zoo launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident and decided not to euthanize the elephant. Cox's death was the first in the zoo's history.{{cite news |title=Elephant rides halted after keeper is killed; animal is investigated |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/austin-american-statesman-elephant-rides/162349137/ |access-date=5 January 2025 |work=Austin American-Statesman |agency=Associated Press |date=December 17, 1992 |location=San Antonio |page=B6 |via=Newspapers.com}} This incident marked the end of elephant rides at the zoo.